See a timeline of key moments in the professional life of Denis Dubourdieu.
Timeline: The life of Denis Dubourdieu
Following news that professor Denis Dubourdieu has died in Bordeaux, here is a timeline of some key moments in his life.
1949
Born at Château Doisy-Daëne in Barsac.
1975
Begins thesis at Bordeaux University under Pascal Ribereau-Gayon, after studying for first degree at Sup Agro in Montpellier.
1976
Marries Florence David and takes over running Château Reynon when her father dies just a few months into their marriage.
1978
Completes PhD on the molecular structure of botrytised grapes. He would go on to publish more than 200 academic papers – many of them having a direct affect in wine quality.
1978
First son, Fabrice, is born
1981
Second son, Jean-Jacques, is born
1982
1982Further doctorate on filtering and fining botrytised wines.
Buys land to form Clos Floridène, in an attempt to show that great wine can still be made outside of the top classifications.
He also begins teaching at Bordeaux University and would go on teach many of the people running Bordeaux estates today.
1987
Begins consulting for estates other than his own, at first specialising in white wines with partner (and former student) Christophe Ollivier.
This would eventually earn him the nickname ‘Pope of white wine’ in Bordeaux.
Valérie Lavigne, also a former student, joins the consulting group.
1998
Becomes consultant to Château Haut-Bailly, marking beginning of red wine consultancy.
Château Haut-Bailly and its vineyards bathed in the summer sunshine.
1999
Begins work on the creation of a multi-disciplinary wine centre in Bordeaux with Alain Rousset, president of Aquitaine regional council.
2000
Takes over from his father at Château Doisy-Daëne, where he was born.
2006
Jean-Jacques and Fabrice begin working alongside their father at Château Doisy-Daëne.
2009
Official inauguration of the Institut des Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin (ISVV) on 23 June.
2014
Buys Château Doisy-Dubroca from Louis Lurton to re-unite with Doisy-Daëne. The two were part of the same estate until the early 19th century.
2016
Named Decanter Man of the Year 2016.
In July, and following a battle with illness, Denis dies surrounded by family in Bordeaux.
Aside from running several different estates and consulting to around 80 châteaux, he had been cited more than 7,000 times in academic work by the time of his death.
1949 – 2016
Read more about what Denis Dubourdieu has done for wine lovers
